What does the Vu Lan offering tray include?

According to the book "Traditional worship rituals of Vietnamese people" by author Ho Duc Tho, Vu Lan ceremony performed at home usually has 4 ceremonies to worship Buddha, worship gods, worship ancestors and offer food to wandering souls. However, nowadays, most families often combine the ceremonies for gods and ancestors.

Vu Lan offering tray to show filial piety to Buddha

The Buddhist worship ceremony is usually vegetarian food or a tray of five fruits. The homeowner reads the Vu Lan Bon Sutra to understand this day and to dedicate merit to the deceased relatives to be reborn. Families should worship Buddha during the day, then receive the blessing at home.

Offering tray to gods and ancestors on Vu Lan day to show filial piety

The Vu Lan offering tray to show filial piety to gods and ancestors can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian, and cannot lack fruits, cakes, incense, candles, etc. The offering tray to gods and ancestors usually includes the following offerings:

• Betel and areca nuts: Show filial piety and respect
• Incense, lamps, candles: Are indispensable items on the altar.
• Fresh flowers: Usually daisies, lilies or roses
• Fruits: Fresh fruits such as bananas, oranges, tangerines, grapes
• Wine and water
• Sticky rice and rice: Sticky rice with gac fruit, sticky rice with mung beans or white rice
• Savory dishes: Boiled chicken, sticky rice, sweet soup, soup, rice, braised fish, spring rolls, stir-fried dishes, salads, boiled vegetables
• Vegetarian dishes: Tofu, salad, vegetables.

Offering tray for wandering souls on Vu Lan occasion

In addition to worshiping ancestors, some families also display offerings in the yard for the wandering souls, commonly known as porridge offerings. The porridge offering ceremony is usually displayed on baskets, trays, trays... depending on the amount of offerings. Author Ho Duc Tho explains that the porridge offering is to give alms to the souls who have no place to worship, those who died on the streets, those who died in war without anyone knowing, orphans who died young and have no one to worship them...

The offering tray for wandering souls usually has:

• White porridge: To feed the souls
• Salt and rice: Sprinkled around after the offering to send off the spirits.
• Candy: For the spirits of children
• Corn, potatoes, cassava: Popular and easy to find vegetables and fruits
• Joss money
• Candles, incense.

Preparing the Vu Lan offering tray is a way to show filial piety, gratitude and remembrance to ancestors, grandparents and parents. It is not only a religious ceremony but also an occasion for descendants to remember their roots, remind each other to live well and treat each other kindly in the family. A full and solemn offering tray not only has the meaning of praying for peace and happiness but also helps descendants better understand traditional values ​​and the spirit of compassion, joy and forgiveness.

Notes when worshiping Vu Lan

To make Vu Lan ceremony solemn and private, the performer needs to pay attention to some important points.

Time and place of worship: Vu Lan worship is usually performed on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, the time can be flexible, usually from early morning to late afternoon. Some families may worship on the 14th day of the lunar month or before.

The place of worship can be at home or at a temple or pagoda. If worshiping at home, the altar should be cleaned and arranged neatly before offering.

Attitude when worshiping: Vu Lan ceremony has deep spiritual meaning, so the performer needs to show a respectful and solemn mentality. During the worship process, keep quiet, avoid making noise or having disrespectful actions.

Avoid waste and environmental impact: Offerings are sacred and important, need to be prepared carefully, but people also need to pay attention to avoid wasting food or unnecessary items. In particular, when burning votive paper money, it is necessary to comply with fire prevention and fighting regulations.